5 steps to success - You have the Interview Scheduled - What do I do next?

 Kudos on getting shortlisted!

   Congratulations on clearing the first hurdle. This scheduled interview confirms that the required qualifications for the job are met. That the rigorous screening process is over. The organization now sees you as a potential candidate. This is a milestone that everyone aspires to clear but the truth is not everyone makes it through. By the standard shortlisting ratio in 2021 - you are one in a few hundred who made it. Feel good about yourself, get ready for the next stage, and leave no stone unturned - pass the interview and successfully get an offer letter for yourself. This is possible by following with some solid preparation using some of the best practices the are outlined in the next few paragraphs or in the video below:

Right chords with the recruiter & gathering more info on the Interview and/or the Interviewer

   The recruiter is a vital stakeholder right from the profile shortlisting process until an offer is rolled out. Sole medium of communication between you and the organization. This stakeholder has all power, influence, and interest from the PII matrix perspective. Treat carefully with utmost focus, attention, and wisdom. Most HR personnel are usually great communicators. Starting with small talk usually helps break the ice. Click on the link below if you want to read more on how to ease the pressure through efficient communication and small talk. Once this relationship is established with the recruiter - you can ask them more questions. Questions such as what should a candidate expect next. In some companies, they provide you the names of the interviewers. This allows you to look up the interviewers on social networking platforms such as LinkedIn. LinkedIn provides an understanding of the interviewer's qualifications and experience. This is a great plus as this will help you understand what might be expected out of you. Not merely for the interview but even the expectations from the position you are interviewing for. Other times the recruiter might provide certain specific public-facing links on the organization's website that talk about vision, mission, statement, principles, etc. that might help you understand the organizational culture and what is expected out you. Depending upon the role and the situation why you are being hired, there are numerous stories heard as to how some recruiters played a leading role in helping a candidate prepare for the interview as well for the new role. 

Get the "Introduction" right - Score a homerun (a sixer; for Cricket fans) with your introduction

   The saying that "The first impression is the last impression" unfortunately still holds true in the corporate world of 2021. Whether you like it or not - most of the time a solid first instinct for hire-no hire is made while the candidate is introducing him or herself. The questions asked later are simply to assess the first impression that was gathered. The decades of life that you spent on this earth, I'm sure there is a lot that you have done and achieved. The 4-6 minutes that the interviewer provides you should contain carefully chosen pieces from your life that actually matter in the current situation. For example, you are applying for an Auditor's position but you keep talking about seven years back how you set up a successful fast food restaurant. If someone is interviewing you for an auditor's position they need to know who you are as a candidate and how are you a fit for the position. Instead of talking about your restaurant business, it might help if you talk about how many years of experience you have as an Auditor. How many audits and of what nature you have completed. It might also help to talk about your certifications, awards, and recommendation you have received in the auditing circuit. Telling them that you are a PCI-ISA, a CISA or ISO27001 certified might actually help. The introduction is an open-ended low hanging fruit that should be used to one's benefit. Never make the mistake of taking it as a casual socialization question. The best part about the introduction is that you can prepare this piece in advance. There is hardly an interview that goes by without the interviewer letting the candidate introduce him or herself. 

Compare with the requirements - Identify your strengths & weaknesses

   Job description, the recruiter and if applicable the person who referred you for this job are some examples of the sources from where you must have gotten more information about the position. Use that information as a baseline. Comparing yourself to that baseline will give us the strength-weakness matrix. It time permits, study more into the topics that you think can be your weaknesses. Reading articles, watching CBTs, settings up lab environments (AWS, Virtualbox, VMware, etc.), and talking to experts within your network that can help you gain the missing knowledge actually helps turn your weaknesses into strengths. 

Allow yourself an opportunity to showcase your Strengths

   The industry norm is that most organizations require the candidate to be an expert in 2/7 requirements, be proficient in 3/7 requirements, and accept no exposure to 2/7 requirements. It is the interviewee's responsibility to ensure that they successfully showcase their expertise in 3/7 topics on the interview. Obviously, certain skillsets are mandatory and if you lack those ones then it might be a bad idea to appear for the interview. This will save you and the interviewer both some time. It would also provide you an opportunity to re-apply when you are ready. However, if you think you are an expert in 3/7 requirements, proficient in 2/7 requirements then proceed further. During your introduction open up avenues for discussion on topics that are your strengths. Talk about technologies and projects that would showcase your strengths. Topics that the interviewer would usually choose to dig deeper into. Talking more initially about things you lack might result in the interviewer digging deep into those. Treat carefully and emerge victoriously. 

Asking questions to the Interviewer

   Most good interviewers ask candidates if they have any questions. This opportunity should not be taken lightly. This is another great chance to create a positive impression. Ask questions such as "what is your opinion one should 'do' or 'should not do' during their first 3 months in the organization". Things like "what is the biggest challenge the team is facing" or even "what do people in the team like about their job the most". This usually creates an environment of mutual respect, trust and shows that you are interested. It also displays that you want to know how things work here and are ready to adapt. 

Try your best and do not worry about the rest

   There is only so much you can do to prepare, deliver & perform in an interview. Ensure that you leave no stone unturned in your preparation. If you have already done all that is possible - then face the interview and don't worry about the result. No matter what happens, it will be in your best interest in that case. It is said that - May all your good dreams come true. Only the ones that will lead you into a place of ultimate peace, happiness, and success. Please click on the link below if you wish to see the video version of this topic. 

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